Rec Club falls just short

By Jason simcoe

Published: July 12, 2008

The Culpeper Recreation Club was buzzing with activity Saturday morning. Kids darted to and fro across the pool deck, cheering on teammates, decorating each other’s backs with team slogans and words of encouragement, and chasing the pizza delivery guy as he brought in lunch.

At the Barnstormers’ final home swim meet of the summer, everybody was living it up.

In the end, the visiting Frogs of the Fauquier Swim Club edged the Barnstormers 662.5 to 612.5 in the 59-event competition.

But while the swimmers seemed fiercely competitive in the water, the pool deck scene told a different story. Swimmers wearing the Frogs’ green suits and the Culpeper red lined both sides of the pool, cheering on friends on both teams. As one girl from Fauquier finished her backstroke race, a Culpeper boy greeted her at the edge of the pool with a high-five.

Summer swimming takes dedication. Instead of sleeping in or playing video games, participants drag themselves from bed daily for early morning practices. So what keeps the kids coming back for more?

“It’s fun,” Barnstormer Austin Sites said. “It keeps me in shape, that’s the main reason. I like being competitive at these events.”

Claire Willis and Gavin Forrest led the way for the Barnstormers, winning three races apiece. The team’s success this summer has often started with the high-school aged athletes like Willis, Forrest and Sites setting the tone.

“Our strength is definitely the older kids,” Barnstormers coach Meghan Knittle said.

The Rec Club team now turns its attention to next week when it takes on Orange.

“Our rivals,” Knittle said. “That will be fun.”

Jason Simcoe can be reached at 825-0771 ext. 166 or